OK DAMN! I am in the market for a base 06. Now if this car is so easy to wrek without TC, why did they not just put that standard on all models including the base!!!??? Even my sisters Scion xB has traction control.

 

am i the only one hear who turns the vdc off everytime they get in the car?

 

I only turn off my tcs when I want to do some hard accelerations

 

I am with you VN. Only turn it off when I want to play. The rest of the time that VDS/TCS is smarter than you when something unexpected happens.

I bet at least half the people on this forum have turned around their Z. I did the second week I had mine. I thought I got a feel for it. I had slammed the gas coming out of turns before and held it, but this time I decided to slam 2nd. Bad idea. They say if it gets sideways that you should keep yout foot down, but the average driver doesn't remeber that when they are sideways. Mine went around on the snap oversteer, over a small curve and into some bushes. Since then I have never repeated the same course of events. I've followed my buddy in his Mustang GT before, and he gets that thing pretty sideways. I just don't have the guts to try it again after what happened. Hes bound to **** up one of these days though, lol.

 

.

 

put a huge wing on the back for more downforce.

 

I ditched my spare/jack a long time ago... ditched the rear interior a couple of weeks ago.... it definitely affects the dynamics... reduces traction over the rear wheels and also causes more understeer... heavier front wants to plow through turns while the rear doesn't want to grip... similar to what the turbo guys experience... smaller power:weight and a further lopsided f:r distro....

taking weight off the front will help balance it back out(which I have yet to do)...lightweight or relocate battery... lightweight pulleys... lightweight flywheel/clutch...etc... still early in the game for me...

 

First off, I wouldn't ditch the spare tire when driving on the street. I might need it...

Second, in no circumstances should we take to a race track (HPDE, Drag, AutoX) with the spare tire and tools in the car. Get these out. Should you crash/roll, you might be cruelly reminded you're driving a hatchback with a clear path from the trunk to your head...

That's interresting. I try to do my runs at or below 1/2 a tank to furter reduce the weight of the Z. It think it turns best when running almost dry.

 

That's very true. If I didnt have some things to fall back on I wouldnt do it. I know enough people that I could catch a ride... my gf could pick me up or bring me my spare.... my brother in law drives a flatbed truck and he is always just a phone call away... plus I have roadside assistance... so I don't feel so bad. If all else fails... I have two legs that work, lol...

Do you wear a helmet on the street?

(sorry, I just had to ask)


Lately I've been running at or below 1/4 tank..... with 160lbs absent from the rear... I can sure feel it... I drove the car in stock form with full tanks a lot so the changes to me were very noticable.

 

Yeah , I did a 90 degree turn in the middle of the street before while it was sprinkling outside too. Didn't know the limits of my Z back then. Glad I didn't hit anything.

 

wow thanks for the heads up!

 

Hehe. But then the other motorist will point at you, "the guy that can't change a spare tire on his own" !



I was expecting that one! You know I drive like a granny on the street!

 

I did that at the AutoX this weekend. My first Z spin-out. Now I know why I always leave TCS on.

 

Learn the limits where there aren't ditches or obstacles to hurt you or your car. Spinning the car is the result of driving past the limits, it's not going to help you go faster. Sliding a car on the street isn't the smartest thing to do. Driving fast is all about being smooth and not overloading the tires with G, braking or power.
TCS will save you if you are not paying attention, but if TCS activates you have already made a mistake.
AutoX or other track time will make you a better driver, way better than the average street driver. You really get a feel for what the car can and can't do.

 

I wonder if anyone has straight re-located the car battery to the rear-hatch where the spare tools are suppose to be.

weight off the front, redistributed to the rear.

 

dude.... thats basically gona happen anytime you do that.

 

I've given it a little thought. I'm torn. The main issue is the wiring. You not only add weight by having to use more wire, you have to route a path for the new wire. I too would like to hear from someone who has done this already. I'm sure it's easier said than done, and in the end I'm not really sure it would be worth it. I've almost decided just switching the current battery out with a lightweight battery would be the best bet, but I'm not sure I want my car depending on a little cell phone battery(sarcasm). I wouldnt mind keeping the stock size battery and moving it to the rear just to help offset the weight I've already lost. It would actually be a few pounds heavier than I am now but I would have more traction for my rear and a better weight distro.... what to do?

 

lol especially when they see my girlfriend pulling up with my spare tire to save the day...

.... in comparsion to ripping up the track I'm sure.

 

If I may, roast, the Odyssey PC680 I installed a few weeks ago weighs in at about 12-13 lbs and works great. The cranking power is awesome. The catch is the cold cranking power is rated at 220 amperes while the stock is 550 amperes. So music equipment and bad climate is out of the question (snow, for instance). But as far as performance goes, its incredible the power it has. Exactly the same as stock.